Interactive Brokersvs
SkillingCrypto Exchange Comparison
Interactive Brokers and Skilling clash over ownership models, regulation, and platform depth. The tension centers on real crypto ownership and regulated breadth versus CFD-centric access.
Our Verdict
Interactive Brokers winsby 0.3 pts
Interactive Brokers earns the higher editorial score, benefiting from real crypto ownership and a broader regulatory framework; Skilling trails on crypto ownership and platform scope.
No commercial relationship. The verdict and scores are entirely editorial. No payment influences this comparison.
Key Differences
- 1Interactive Brokers lists 9 coins; Skilling offers 40+.
- 2Pricing transparency: Interactive Brokers offers transparent pricing, Skilling does not.
- 3Phone support available for Interactive Brokers but not Skilling.
Who should choose Interactive Brokers vs Skilling?
Find out which crypto exchange best suits your trading profile.
Choose Interactive Brokers if…
Choose Interactive Brokers if you value real crypto ownership and a broad, multi-jurisdictional regulatory framework.
Choose Skilling if…
Choose Skilling if you want a larger CFD coin selection and a European-regulated environment.
Verdict by Trader Profile
Which exchange wins for each type of crypto trader, based on security, fees, coin selection, and editorial scoring.
Best for security
It’s a tie
Both equally suited
Interactive Brokers benefits from a broad, multi-jurisdictional regulatory framework and real crypto ownership.
Best for low fees
Recommended
Interactive Brokers vs Skilling: Side-by-Side Crypto Exchange Comparison
| Criteria |  Interactive Brokers |  Skilling |
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 4.0/ 5 | 3.7/ 5 |
| Min Deposit | No minimum▼ lower | $50 |
| Spreads From | 0.2 pips▼ lower | 0.7 pips |
| Taker Fee | 2.00% | N/A |
Interactive Brokers vs Skilling Crypto Exchange Pros & Cons
Pros
- Real crypto ownership (not CFDs), Bitcoin, Ethereum, and major alts in your IBKR account
- SEC, FINRA, FCA, and ASIC regulated, strongest multi-jurisdictional framework available
- 0.12-0.18% transparent commission, no spread markup on underlying price
- Manage crypto alongside stocks, ETFs, bonds, and forex in a single platform
Cons
- Narrow selection (~9 coins), no access to altcoins, DeFi, or NFTs
Interactive Brokers vs Skilling: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each exchange meets or misses within each scoring category.
2
Interactive Brokers
criteria wins
0
Skilling
criteria wins
Highlighted rows show where the two exchanges differ
| Criteria | Interactive Brokers | Skilling |
|---|---|---|
| Security | ||
| Cold storage for assets | Fail | Fail |
| Proof of reserves published | Fail | Fail |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Fees | ||
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Pass | Pass |
| Transparent pricing page | Pass | Fail |
| Features | ||
| Staking available | Fail | Fail |
| DeFi integration | Fail | Fail |
| NFT trading | Fail | Fail |
| 500+ coins listed | Fail | Fail |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| 24/5 live chat | Fail | Fail |
| Phone support | Pass | Fail |
Interactive Brokers vs Skilling: Frequently Asked Questions
The scores are close: Interactive Brokers rates 4/5 and Skilling rates 3.7/5. Interactive Brokers has a marginal edge in our scoring, but the difference is small enough that your specific priorities — fees, platforms, or regulatory jurisdiction — should guide the final choice.
Interactive Brokers lists a lower spread from 0.2, compared with Skilling's 0.7. Crypto trading costs are typically quoted as a percentage of the trade value; check each exchange's full fee schedule, as maker/taker rates and volume discounts vary.
Interactive Brokers has no minimum deposit, while Skilling requires at least $50. This makes Interactive Brokers more accessible for traders looking to start with a smaller crypto investment.
Both Interactive Brokers and Skilling hold licences from top-tier regulators, indicating a high standard of regulatory oversight. Check each exchange's specific regulatory bodies to confirm coverage in your jurisdiction.
For beginners, two factors stand out: Interactive Brokers has no minimum deposit, removing the capital barrier entirely, and both exchanges provide negative balance protection. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
Interactive Brokers offers up to 1:1 on perpetual or margin products, versus Skilling's 2:1 cap. Margin and futures trading carry higher risk than spot crypto; confirm product availability and jurisdiction-specific limits on each exchange's website.
Interactive Brokers charges $2 per trade on commission-based accounts. Commission details for Skilling are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing. Crypto fees are typically quoted as maker/taker rates rather than fixed per-trade commissions; check each exchange's fee schedule for volume-based discounts.
Interactive Brokers supports Trader Workstation (TWS), Proprietary Web/Mobile, while Skilling supports cTrader, Skilling Trader, MetaTrader 4. Interactive Brokers has exclusive access to Trader Workstation (TWS) and Proprietary Web/Mobile. Skilling has exclusive access to cTrader and Skilling Trader and MetaTrader 4.
